Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SOFIA103
2006-01-24 15:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
BULGARIAN POLICE BUST COUNTERFEIT CD RING
how-toVZCZCXRO2346 PP RUEHIK DE RUEHSF #0103 0241537 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 241537Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1210 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SOFIA 000103
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EB/IPE JURBAN; SWILSON
DEPT PLEASE PASS USTR LERRION
DOC FOR SSAVICH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD KIPR ASEC BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIAN POLICE BUST COUNTERFEIT CD RING
Ref.: Sofia 85
UNCLAS SOFIA 000103
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EB/IPE JURBAN; SWILSON
DEPT PLEASE PASS USTR LERRION
DOC FOR SSAVICH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD KIPR ASEC BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIAN POLICE BUST COUNTERFEIT CD RING
Ref.: Sofia 85
1. SUMMARY: Bulgarian Police busted a syndicate believed
responsible for illegal production, storage and retail
distribution of pirate optical disc media (ODM). During a
two-day operation (January 20-21, 2006),police
simultaneously raided an illegal production site, warehouse
premises and retail distributors. The Ministry of Interior
reported the arrest of the ringleader of the operation,
seizure of 13,000 pirate discs in Sofia, and initiation of
five investigations. The total number of seized discs will
likely increase as police compile the results of the
coordinated effort. End Summary.
2. The Economic Police Unit of the Bulgarian Police Service
raided on January 20, 2006, a residence in Sofia believed to
be the center of an illegal ODM operation. They seized
8,329 pirate discs, 7,000 printed covers (inlay cards),and
large quantities of blank discs and reproduction equipment.
The 27-year old behind the pirate operation was detained and
charged under Article 172-a of the Penal Code. However, he
was later released on bail of 2,000 leva (about USD 1,250).
3. As part of the enforcement action, police raided another
14 premises, warehouse facilities, and retail outlets in
Sofia and four other cities: Vidin, Ruse, Plovdiv and
Burgas. When police raided a location near a notorious ODM
pirate spot in Sofia -- Slaveykov square -- more than 2,000
discs were seized. Another 1,500 pirate discs were seized
nearby from a vendor on a major commercial street.
4. The local representative of the Motion Picture
Association, Rozalina Apostolov, informed us that her
organization supported the recent enforcement action.
Apostolova confirmed to us the success of the operation
commending the authorities for their resolve in cracking
down on the pirate disc street trade. Tax inspectors also
took part in the enforcement action, detecting a number of
tax violations, according to Apostolova.
Comment
--------------
5. The raid came only days after the new Council for
Intellectual Property Protection (CIPP) was formed and held
its first meeting (reftel). It marks stepped-up enforcement
efforts by the Bulgarian authorities to stem the
overwhelming pirate disc trade in the country. Combined
with the CIPP formation, the recent raid demonstrates the
power of effective partnership between government agencies
and private industry. It is essential, however, that
Bulgarian authorities sustain enforcement operations, and
eventually arrest and prosecute intellectual property
infringers. End Comment.
BEYRLE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EB/IPE JURBAN; SWILSON
DEPT PLEASE PASS USTR LERRION
DOC FOR SSAVICH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD KIPR ASEC BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIAN POLICE BUST COUNTERFEIT CD RING
Ref.: Sofia 85
1. SUMMARY: Bulgarian Police busted a syndicate believed
responsible for illegal production, storage and retail
distribution of pirate optical disc media (ODM). During a
two-day operation (January 20-21, 2006),police
simultaneously raided an illegal production site, warehouse
premises and retail distributors. The Ministry of Interior
reported the arrest of the ringleader of the operation,
seizure of 13,000 pirate discs in Sofia, and initiation of
five investigations. The total number of seized discs will
likely increase as police compile the results of the
coordinated effort. End Summary.
2. The Economic Police Unit of the Bulgarian Police Service
raided on January 20, 2006, a residence in Sofia believed to
be the center of an illegal ODM operation. They seized
8,329 pirate discs, 7,000 printed covers (inlay cards),and
large quantities of blank discs and reproduction equipment.
The 27-year old behind the pirate operation was detained and
charged under Article 172-a of the Penal Code. However, he
was later released on bail of 2,000 leva (about USD 1,250).
3. As part of the enforcement action, police raided another
14 premises, warehouse facilities, and retail outlets in
Sofia and four other cities: Vidin, Ruse, Plovdiv and
Burgas. When police raided a location near a notorious ODM
pirate spot in Sofia -- Slaveykov square -- more than 2,000
discs were seized. Another 1,500 pirate discs were seized
nearby from a vendor on a major commercial street.
4. The local representative of the Motion Picture
Association, Rozalina Apostolov, informed us that her
organization supported the recent enforcement action.
Apostolova confirmed to us the success of the operation
commending the authorities for their resolve in cracking
down on the pirate disc street trade. Tax inspectors also
took part in the enforcement action, detecting a number of
tax violations, according to Apostolova.
Comment
--------------
5. The raid came only days after the new Council for
Intellectual Property Protection (CIPP) was formed and held
its first meeting (reftel). It marks stepped-up enforcement
efforts by the Bulgarian authorities to stem the
overwhelming pirate disc trade in the country. Combined
with the CIPP formation, the recent raid demonstrates the
power of effective partnership between government agencies
and private industry. It is essential, however, that
Bulgarian authorities sustain enforcement operations, and
eventually arrest and prosecute intellectual property
infringers. End Comment.
BEYRLE